Generations Gather For Veterans Day

People Attend Meet And Greet Despite Rain

Retired Lt. Col. Steve Gray, military liaison to Sen. John Boozman, R-Rogers, left, speaks Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, with James L. Quin, 87, of Springdale, a veteran of the U.S. Navy who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, during a Veterans Day observance aboard an Arkansas & Missouri Railroad passenger car at the railroad depot in Springdale.

Retired Lt. Col. Steve Gray, military liaison to Sen. John Boozman, R-Rogers, left, speaks Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, with James L. Quin, 87, of Springdale, a veteran of the U.S. Navy who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, during a Veterans Day observance aboard an Arkansas & Missouri Railroad passenger car at the railroad depot in Springdale.

Monday, November 12, 2012

— No one heard a marching band, cheering or saw waving hands on Emma Avenue in Springdale on Sunday. The rain prompted the cancellation of the Veterans Day Parade scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

The Northwest Arkansas Veteran’s Day Association Inc., had been planning the parade for about four months.

“It was a little disappointing that all of the hard work and time was wiped away because of rain,” said Krystal Osbon, vice president of the association.

People still attended the meet and greet at 1:30 p.m. at the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad Station in Springdale.

World War II veterans, Vietnam War veterans, enlisted soldiers and many other men and women who served in the military gathered together with the public to socialize.

A young, clean-shaven man wearing his uniform, complete with shined shoes, met a much older veteran sitting in the train car. The young soldier lowered to one knee and shook the veteran’s hand and looked him in the eye, telling him “Thank you.”

Another young soldier, Drew Davis, said he attends any event he can to meet the different generations of veterans. He talked about how sometimes the younger generation has a hard time connecting with the veteran community.

“I’ve really learned about dependence while being in the military and sometimes my generation doesn’t understand how much they really do depend on their troops for all of the freedoms they have and we need to work on recognizing that,” he said.

Despite the parade being canceled, Davis said he thought it was still a joyful event.

President of the association, Steve Gray, greeted many veterans with a smile, handshake and hug. He introduced the Ozark Highlander Pipe Band, a group of bagpipers who still wanted to honor the veterans and play. They played “God Bless America” while many in the train car softly sang the words.

“We come out to recognize the immense acts of service our veterans have given this country,” said Gray.

“Most veterans don’t stop serving after they come back from the front lines, they continue to give their lives to the bettering of this country.”